Ready, Set, Travel!

The second you arrive in the Country you choose to study in, it is time to plan out your trips for the semester. Everyone always talks about how cheap and easy it is to travel all over Europe, and sadly, they are lying. But remember, the sooner, the cheaper.

Your destinations are endless, so make a list and break it down to the top ten cities you MUST hit before you return back to the U.S. Once that list is complete, check the airfares on every different European airline. Common airlines are Ryan air, Vueling, Easy jet, Lufthansa, and Iberia. Kayak.com shows flights and prices for all of these, but make sure to delete your cookies after hours of searching, as you will notice prices increase, because the website catches on after so many views that you are desperately trying to travel. Also, just a warning, Ryan air always seems appealing, until they charge you 50 euro to print a boarding pass at check in, or 100 euro for your roller carry on. Make sure to always check in and print boarding passes before the airport, as it will save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

Planning out where to stay can be a drag and add up, but hostelworld.com will save your life. The site tells you the best areas to stay in no matter where you are, and there are endless reviews about each hostel listed. Coming from reviews, the site shows the hostels percentages in security, cleanliness, location, and many other categories that help narrow down your search. Never waste your money on a nice hotel, because chances are you will only be in your room to sleep, and if you do enough research and choose a decent hostel, you will not be disappointed!

When it comes to packing for a weekend trip, try and remember that you are only going for a weekend. Meaning three days. You don't have enough pocket change to bring "options", as you will want to save that extra bag fee for something worth while, for example, a tour. If your destination is the Swiss Alps in the middle of winter, layer on as many clothes as possible, including your big coat and scarf, for the flight. Do not even try to pack such large items, because they should not be able to fit if you are bringing the correct type of luggage, A.K.A a small carry on.

If you are traveling within the Country you are situated, especially if it is a last minute trip, always check for train or bus rides. Although the travel time might be slightly longer, the extra hour is well worth it, considering the ride will be a quarter of the price of a flight. The great thing about European countries is that they are small, making cities on the opposite side of where you are easily accessible. Take advantage of the cheap routes offered to get from place to place, because in the end they will save you money to spend on souvenirs!